Talking About Sex

By DEREK ELLEY

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A Curb Entertainment Intl. Corp. presentation of a Pegasus Prods. production. (International sales: Curb Organization, Burbank.) Produced by Gary M. Bettman. Executive producer, Aaron Speiser. Directed by Speiser. Screenplay, Speiser, Carl Nelson, from a screen story by Speiser.
 
Andie Norman ... Kim Wayans
Rachel Parsons ... Marcy Walker
Doug Penn ... Daniel Beer
Carl Morgan ... Randy Powell
Michael Columbus ... Kerry Ruff
Lou Jacobs ... Joe Richards
 

"Talking About Sex" is a hip, mostly breezy look at the sexual hang-ups of a bunch of well-tailored Los Angelenos that occasionally hits the right spot but doesn't add to up to an earth-moving experience. Lively performances and trim running time are the major pluses of this sexual jawfest that looks destined for specialized playdates.

Group of characters spins around Andie (Kim Wayans), editor of a dry self-help manual penned by terminally smooth shrink Michael (Kerry Ruff) that she's retitled "Talking About Sex." At an all-night party to celebrate the tome's publication, misunderstandings and mismatches proliferate.

Besides Andie, who argues early on with her boring b.f., Doug (Daniel Beer), other characters include publisher Carl (Randy Powell), who wants to spice up Michael's book and his own marriage; blond looker Rachel (Marcy Walker), who's taken to "re-birthing " meditation sessions as a substitute for that elusive orgasm; a late-30s fashion designer (Daria Lynn) whose sex life is on hold; and Andie's neighbor Lou (Joe Richards), who'd like to pair her off with his strangely uninterested grandson.

Bulk of the pic is set during the gathering, with tears, battles, flirtations and slick party talk, which is broken up by b&w doculike sequences of the women exchanging raw confidences about their most private moments. These bits, shot in hand-held, talking-heads style, are among the best in the movie, a truthful counterweight to the often shallow talk elsewhere.

In fairness, director/co-writer Aaron Speiser never pretends he's making major statements in the movie, and the seriocomic tone is mostly kept afloat by the OK, well-differentiated cast. As the much-in-demand, perky copy editor, Wayans motors the movie.

Tech credits on the obviously low-budget production are up to scratch.

Camera (color), Tom Jewett; editor, Wayne Schmidt; music, Tim Landers; art direction, Laurence S. James; associate producer, Heath Slane; assistant director, Lee Lankford. Reviewed at Cannes Film Festival (market), May 15, 1994. Running time: 83 MIN.
 

With: Daria Lynn.